In the Applied mechanical design course, my team of four designed a cleaning system for compost bins. Collecting organic waste is good for the environment, but emptying and cleaning the household bin is unpleasant, so many people simply give up. Our machine is added to the collection containers already used in Lausanne: the user clamps the bin, turns a handle to empty it, turns again to wash it, and takes it back clean.

We followed the whole design method: functional analysis, morphological chart to compare solutions, kinematic diagram, then the full CATIA model with drawings and bill of materials. The final design works with 5 and 9 litre bins, needs no electric motor, takes about 15 seconds for a full cycle and only 0.6 Wh, and recycles 67% of the washing water. The container holds 5.4 m³ of waste before maintenance is needed.